2024 Chevrolet Trax: Engine Explained
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ค. 2023
- Under the hood tour of the 2024 Chevrolet Trax (Buick Envista similar) with full overview of engine bay layout, technical features and DIY maintenance service points for its 1.2-liter LIH 3-cylinder turbo engine.
TestDrivenTV Garage is a place we can step of the stage and talk nuts-and-bolts with in-depth "how it works" about the latest automotive technologies and "how to do it" videos for auto maintenance and repairs.
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At last an actual good informational video
This little engine has a wet belt to turn the camshaft. A rubber belt that runs in oil. Ask Ford how that idea worked in their little 3 banger. Why not a long-lasting chain instead? When the belt needs to be replaced, and it will at some point, it is a major tear down of the engine to do so. Probably somewhere just after the warranty runs out.
Can I put a srt in it
I have a lot of questions about this engine and you didn't address them at all These include maintenance recommendations for long term reliability.
Any engine, not just this one......follow the maintenance schedule in your owners manual.
Timing chain or belt ?
What type of Automatic Transmission ?
Wet timing belt, soaked in oil. 6 speed auto transmission.
It's amazing how car companies continue to throw cheaper parts under the hood while simultaneously increasing prices.
They are probably just getting ready for the switch to EV vehicles.
price went down then last verision
This should be about $10k for all the cheap they put in this
Actually the price went down, so check your facts.
It's like $14,000 based on pre pandemic prices.
The value of the dollar has been cut in half.
Thank you for video is timing belt easy to get to for replacing ?
They have timing chains.
@am74343
The 1.2 has a belt. The 1.3 has a chain.
No. It's a "wet timing belt". No cover to pull off. A whole lot of crap involved. Stupid design.
Have done four timing belts on different vehicle found a video on a wet timing belt true its a little harder but think I can do it when the time comes. Looks like a lot of room in that engine bay.
Half the engine has to come apart it's a pain
Great video. I can feel engine vibration in the seat, brand new when the car is in Drive and I hold the brake. Is that normal?
I have a Trax next time I drive it I’ll let you know, can’t say I’ve ever payed attention to it.
Wouldn’t be surprised as the engine it technically wanting to creep the car so yeah
@braden2233 Thanks, let me know. Not sure if that is something I have to take it back to the dealership for
@@realfakearchitect I’ve been trying and honestly I don’t really feel anything, so may be worth running by dealer. It could be the cold aswell not sure where you live, mine stays in garage so it doesn’t get as cold
@braden2233 thanks for getting back. I live in a pretty hot state, lol. What does your car idle at typically? I could be completely wrong, but the second the idle goes higher, the vibrations become faint.
ENGINE COMMENTS: An I3 is smoother than an I4 without balance shafts. This 1.2-liter I3 is a long-stroke design (a.k.a. undersquare), which used to be unusual for a modern engine; the Silverado’s I4 is also. With a long stroke you get more torque because a larger crankshaft offset gives more leverage (a simple concept). If you’ve got lots of torque, and many tranny speeds, the lack of HP seems forgivable. I expect mine in a few weeks, so we’ll see. This 1.2-liter engine will have 17% the displacement of the one in my 20-year-old Silverado 2500HD (which has a Tonawanda Big Block). Remember, “horsepower wins races, but torque gets work done.”
there is no lack of HP... 140 horse for a 3100 lb car is not the best but not the worst... my chev volt is abour 150 horse, 300 torque, but the trax faster.
. a 5.0 mustang was about 3000 lbs and 185 horse.
HP is how fast you can go
torque is how fast you get there
Acceleration is a function of horsepower (aka work being done). Torque is just a twisting force. You can use gearing to multiply torque generated but you cannot change horsepower output.
@@brarautorepairs cool
Story. Go buddy. Trax 1.2. Is quickn
It's more complicated for an engine that's spinning. Please remember that HP and torque output are a function of engine speed. Someday you'll understand the two concepts, and how they relate to each other, if you keep studying internal combustion engines. Never stop learning.
@@BrianSzafranski cool story bro you might be an apprentice one day
Got a 1.3 trailblazer rs what do you think about the engine on this one?
The trailblazer is cute! Ours got rear-ended so we opted for the trax afterwards since most of the back caves in from a truck hitting us….
The 1.3 has a timing chain not a belt, like the 1.2l
it gets better mpg, than the 1.2l, downsides of this motor, are the manifold pressure is insanely high, and direct injection has issues long term, no fuel hits the intake valve the way port injection does, it is however very fuel efficient, I also have a 2024 trailblazer, with the 1.3l
I get 42 mpg on my work commute, if I stay at 55 mph.
Time will tell how they hold up.
The 1.3l makes more power per cubic inch than the corvette motor, and it does that with the turbo and a very high manifold pressure. Just my observation, of the 1.3l motor. Both good and bad.
Output is rated at 155 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 174 pound-feet of torque at just 1,500 rpm, which means the L3T boasts a specific output of 116 horsepower per liter. As such, the L3T has greater specific output than the 6.2L V8 LT2 equipped in the mid-engine Chevy Corvette C8 - 37 horsepower per liter greater, to be exact.
So v6 or v8
Any idea what the life expectancy is when following proper maintenance intervals?
A tiny aluminum engine with high pressure GDI and turbo won't be much for longevity. All that pressure it will probably blow gaskets and maybe even be an oil burner as the piston rings wear out. Don't forget about the plastic parts and electric water pump, and electric turbo, and a rubber timing belt that is submerged in the oil.
@@chickenfarm09 You will be lucky to get just past the warranty GM turbo engines are horrible Cruze engines leak oil and coolant and cracked turbo housings. Equinox 1.5 are having about the same issues and the fact this is a 3cyl with a wet belt Fords 3cyl proved to be a nightmare with its wet belt.
Well they’ve been using it for a few years in the trailblazer and searching used cars there are quite a few with over 100k. Available.
Is it an interference engine? What are the timing chain guides made out of - plastic or metal?
Great question! I'm thinking about getting the entry level Trax LS next month. Im not a mechanic, so I asked a "service technician" on the phone that same question.......The engine has a "timing belt" that rotates "in oil" and is recommended to be replaced at 40,000 miles. I always thought small engines, (like my 2012, 4 cylinder Toyota Yaris) had timing chains. With me doing mainly around town driving, the Trax LS is still the one for me.
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carbon fiber
You need to read all the horror stories on the ford 3 cyl with the wet timing belt before buying this car@@collinspaulk2023
@@collinspaulk2023no, it's recommended to be changed at 150,000 miles. I personally would change it at 100k though.
@@collinspaulk2023that belt setup is old school it wasn't reliable back 25 years ago or so.
This is a lot like the ford fox one-liter, which happens to be a lot more tidy.
Is the turbo cooled with coolant also?
air to air intercooler
Does anyone know what the Rubber engine topper is there for?
It looks like a plastic beauty piece, but idk if it's Rubber to help keep the heat even on the aluminum head or not.
Ok he says it is sound deadening foam. Does it serve another purpose also?
Sound deadening foam, has the texture of a bike helmet. Easy to pop on and off.
I am considering buying one. I like to either drive a car until there is nothing left of them or trade them off when the warranty expires.If I decide to to get one it will be traded at around 36 months.
That is why they make them like crap these days. Everyone has a lease.
Where is the anti freeze located?
it was discussed in the video.
I wonder how long such a small and complex engine will last in such a large vehicle. It will have to work very hard and withstand a lot of heat from the turbo. GM is not exactly known for building durable small vehicles.
The engineers must've been raked over the coals for the top mounts for the struts! 😝 They look more accessible
A 2000 Impala 3.8 V6 gets 30mpg HWY and this brand new 1.2L turbo car only gets 32mpg HGWY? I can't believe 24 years of technology only nets 2mpg better with potentially much less reliability over the years. Cost cutting seems obvious here.
Because they made it more about emissions instead of MPGs
"A 2000 Impala 3.8 V6 gets 30mpg HWY..."
Fuelly says 21.6 mpg real-world combined.
I have a 3.8 and at best im getting 26mpg. Hwy cruising down a hill.
Would this turbo last longer on premium it's only 3 cylinder but it has a small turbo premium should give it a long life
Fuel grade has no effect whatsoever on the performance or longevity of a turbocharger any more than it would tires, the radio or a wiper blade.
3 Cylinder/Turbo engines is the new trend going forward, cheaper to produce for the vehicle manufacturer........
And better epa numbers which is the name game for compliance ….
Yep and in a junkyard by 100,000 miles.
And tougher fuel economy standards. If manufacturers don’t meet the standards they have to buy fuel credits or pay a fine.
@@joecharmley Except tiny turbo engines are proving not to be more fuel efficient. Other vehicles in this class of vehicle actually get the same if not better EPA numbers with naturally aspirated 4cyl engines of larger displacement. Kia Seltos is rated at 35mpg highway with a 2.0L 4cyl, for example. Trax is rated at 32mpg.
@@palebeachbumis the seltos a CVT?
23990 sticker for A LOT of car.
What about fuel? Premium or regular?
Regular
I've been using premium and have had none of the idle vibration issues that people have reported. Gdi engines need premium - in the early 2010s, it all changed to regular one day, magically, for the automakers except germans...I wonder why. .... I change the oil every 4,000 miles. Ignore the dealer intervals if you want the car to last a long time. I will be paying for a trans fluid change every 25k miles. Cold climate, daily driver. Trying to get 150k miles out of the 2024 I bought.
@@ramtough07 smart call
As well gdi cleaner spray
Great review! Just 1 question.....I'm hearing that a lot of these new "start/stop" vehicles come equipped with a "extra battery" installed. Is this a true statement, and does this new Trax have one? Thank you!
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A "spare battery" is not included unless it is a hybrid car, which uses one of the high voltage hybrid motor generators to start the engine.
@@TDTVGarage
Great answer! And thanks for the reply. That entry-level Trax LS will be mine. Thanks again!
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32 highway mpg? I can get 40 mpg on the highway with my ‘15 Passat!
The 24 Trax does have the start/ Stop feature but there is a button on the console when pressed turns the start/ stop option off until you turn off the vehicle then restart it you'll have to press the button again to keep it turned off.
Cool bro but if you want to pick up you need something built this decade 🤣
Has anyone souped one up to make 200 hp?
I won't buy a vehicle with a turbo. Or GDI without port injection. Or mechanical CVT.
In the comments a wet oil soaked timing belt is mentioned (I thought only Ford made that mistake). I believe I will add that to the list.
How about idle start / stop?
I like the Toyota hybrids. Where the engine only runs when it is needed. No start stop system needed (or wanted).
wheres the alternator, thats the last thing the serp. belt was useful for, also the ac compressor but i was assuming that would be electric also.
It's buried underneath everything
I’m surprised the engine block isn’t made of plastic 😂😂😂
oil bath timing belt....no thank you!
Thats what destroys the value proposition of this car, your going to be spending thousands over the life of the vehicle to replace the belt most likely at a dealer, where all they are going to do is mess other stuff up in the process of changing the belt.
Why does this get worse mpg then the old one that had a 4 cylinder LOL
Not to mention 6 speed?
Timing belt in oil it will put rubber in the oil, and stop the oil pump up wait and watch it happen. These will be throw away engines like the ford 6.4 diesel.
Where's the battery located
Did you not watch the video? It was discussed/shown.
Why not just have a 4 cylinder early 2000 version engine installed. Why complicate with a turbo??? I don't get this?!? Overcomplicate crap to justify cost of build.
Because emissions and CAFE standards require higher efficiency and cleanliness than they did in 2000 and buyers expect more horsepower than they did then. To achieve both, a turbocharger is required.
and direct fuel injection @@TDTVGarage
To add to that, that's why some engines are no longer around, for example the 4.3 Vortec that was in the S10 and Blazer couldn't pass emissions so GM had to discontinue it. Everything is all about emissions and EPA standards today.
Are this and 1.3L powerful enough for 250 mile trips?
And even 300 miles ones
Powerful enough for a given distance? Not sure what is meant by that, but the throttle is surprisingly responsive at freeway speeds - more so than at lower speeds. And on a flat mostly-highway 125-mile drive, I got an MPG reading of 38! Didn't believe it at first, but I did the math at the gas pump and it checked out.
You’ll be fine just don’t be driving it like taladega and it won’t fail
Lots of plastic parts including the oil pan & a timing belt instead of a chain & direct injection that can promote carbon build up does not promote long engine life to me.
1.2L does not have a plastic pan but it has a rubber timing belt. 1.3L does have a plastic plan but it has a timing chain. Regardless both have scheduled maintenance at 150k miles so you cant avoid it like other vehicles. I also wonder how well they will deal with carbon build up since its a recurring issue with many auto manufacturers. I personally have one but with only 1k miles I don't have much to report.
@@jabaho How are you doing with the car? I'm thinking of buying one
@@mmaldonado470 car has been problem free for me, I am around 6k miles currently. I have been reading higher trims with the upgraded screen are having issues and windows are a widespread problem on all trims. Gas mileage for me at 70 is around 35mpg but city mileage isn't great.
@@jabaho thank you for the info 🙌
so the 1.3 has a timing chain thanks@@jabaho
This car (if the muscle era still existed) Needs an SS Chevy Camaro engine.
How long lasts all these plastic parts?
It matters not. ALL engines have plastic parts
@@TDTVGarage what a logic
Why chevy decided to put these engines in a suv goes beyond me, these should have been in the malibu or cruze.
The Trax is technically Chevrolet's smallest, cheapest, lightest car. It makes sense their smallest engine would be in it. There is no more Cruze. The Malibu is a much larger and heavier vehicle, though its engine is not much larger at 1.5-liters.
@@TDTVGarage werent these in the trailblazer?
Yes which is also considered a compact vehicle. They are both built in Korea on similar platform chassis and the engines were deemed appropriate as they produce more than adequate power for them.
never heard of an electric water pump before. they been around long?
A couple of decades
That is the only good ideaq on the whole car. I hope Chevy used a brushless motor to drive it or it may be a bad idea when the brushes wear out.
Public Service Announcement : Avoid any car with a 3 cylinder motor. You will regret buying it. You will regret owning it. Most of all, you will be embarrassed when you tell your wife what you just bought. Good GOD man !
Not everyone is hung on on the size of their piece. ;)
Throwaway vehicle
Is this a GM engine or is it Korean?
GM's three-cylinder engines are built at its Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico.
@@TDTVGarage GM or Daewoo design?
Don't know but "Daewoo" doesn't exist anymore to any extent, it's "GM Korea".
i heard the automatic transmission is made by gm
@@TDTVGarage GM Europe, it's based on an Opel design
I like the fact that it has a 6 speed auto instead of a CVT. But that engine will not be reliable with a wet timing belt. People should avoid this car in my opinion.
I'm surprised that despite giving detailed information on various features on this engine you left out mentioning the wet timing belt it uses.
Based on European cars that have used this same engine and technology for five years now the oil submersible timing belt has a poor track record of reliability and can cause major engine damage when peeling rubber off the timing belt can not only plug the oil sump screen but also oil galleries causing major damage to the engine.
Also the timing belt is an expensive item and labor cost high to replace it because of how many parts you must remove to access the timing belt since there is no timing belt cover like traditional engines.
I'd be wary of another Opel / Daewoo design "GM" engine. They haven't been legendary for reliability, so far.
Real question is... How much does this entire engine cost? It may only last 80-100k miles vut if it costs $2000 to replace then meh...
It would likely cost twice that.
@@TDTVGarage I just paid 9500 to drop a built 408 into my Camaro so meh. Lol
Kswap it or ls when it happens 😂
@@TDTVGarage saw a used one ebay for 1500 not bad
1.2 L engine that only gets 30 mpg combined? My own 2014 Sonic easily gets 37 mpg on a motor trip. With NO turbo to fail, when its out of warranty!
Lets be real??? How realiable wll this be???, lets say if i take great care of it will i make it to 100k with no big issues????
Unlikely if the manufacturer thinks the wet oil soaked timing belt needs to be changed in 40 k miles.
Should have a 9 speed. Can't even hardly keep up with traffic don't get it
Take the engine out and put a Toyota corolla engine in itv
Bmw Toyota make 3 cylinder engine in Europe an Philippines only new in da us
So listen. People used to want a V8 motor. Not a four cylinder. Not a six cylinder. You wanted a V8. Why? For power and smoothness and most of all...the sound ! Now they want you to believe that you will be happy with a tiny puny 3 cylinder motor? I should think...NOT !
Offering a small turbo 3 that has less power, worse economy, and less durability than Honda and Toyota's naturally aspirated 4 cylinder engines. No thanks
Travolta put it best. “What a hunk a junk”. What’s next. “Chevys all new 2028 chevette. This comes standard with an ALL NEW 0.5 L 1 cyl engine with a 3 speed, producing 73 Hp and 91 ft lbs of torque. EPA estimates are 43/57 and 0-60 in just under 3 minutes.”
Overpriced & underpowered..no other engine option. Sounds like a chevy. Just get a golf cart it will be much quicker off the line.
Direct injection, aluminum head and block, turbo charge and intercooler. 15,000 mile oil changes. If it does make 150,000 miles. (It won't) Totally remove the engine to replace the oil bathed timing belt and pump. This car makes the Vega look good.
It would make more sense if this video title was "engine not explained"
A 3 cylinder Chevy....what could go wrong??? 😂😂😂😂
There's nothing inherently wrong with a 3cyl engine, but putting turbo boost on any engine is going to stress it more.
About as much as a Ford or Mopar V8.
Ford doing it too 🤦🏻♂️
A wife... what could go wrong???
Geo metro.
terrible mpg for such a tiny car
That's the thing, it's not that tiny at all.
true-as much as it will be in the shop for recalls/repairs you will only fill it up once a month@@TDTVGarage
I cringed when he said Plastic intake manifold , those have been a chronic problem for GM engines for decades with cracking and leaks
All manifolds on all engines are plastic regardless of the brand.
@@TDTVGarage Yes, but Gm has more problems related to their plastic manifolds than other brands
I’d rather someone give me a 3 legged dog.
Do not waste your money on this kind of junk! Buy a Toyota yeah they can break too, but odds are extremely low and they have higher trade in and resale values. You may pay a tad more up front, but you will get a vehicle that will be cheaper over the lifetime of the vehicle.
better stay away from the first year model, with gm's track record
boomer mentality
It's not reaaalllyyyy a first year model though. It's been in China since 2022 as the Seeker.
Also, a lot of the design is straight out of the Trailblazer that's also a few years old.
@@redsealjourneymanreviews6647 As a mid centurian I resent your boomer comment. The 1st year of production is almost always the worst and the best cars as a rule are the ones near the end of the production run.
137 hp ? 😅electric water pump ? 😅does it have cyl deactivation? plastic parts that wont last ,what can possibly go wrong with a force fed 3 cyl ,they should throw in a new engine in the trunk when this POJ engine detroyes itself 😅😅
Their are no spare cylinders left to deactivate.
It gos boom at 50,000 and is not well proven mexico pile of trouble.Just buy parts
and cost of rebiuld buy it and good luck. GM LEGIONARY RELIABILITY??
My lawn mower has more power
Wanna race for pink slips?? MY GRASS IS LONG AND I KNOW ALL SMOKE YOU!!!
Tiny engine with a turbo. Disposable engine, disposable car.
Lets call it 1.2 turbo weezer UGH
What a slug of an engine. 137hp? Fred Flintstone's foot driven car is faster🤮
A well proven engine? This hasn't been out very long at all
The engine family has been around since 2018
Dont be fooled by the lower cost of entry of this vehicle, the total money you spend getting the wet timing belt serviced at the dealer over the life of the vehicle(and for them to mess other stuff up while doing so) will be exponentially higher then a competing vehicle such as the hrv where you wont have to deal with such nonsense.
so this engine does have the wet belt like the ford? That would be the deal breaker
He fails to mention that the direct injection will lead to the valves being coated in carbon sludge in 30,000 miles and it will run rough. Fake mechanic who is incompetent for leaving this glaring failure out of his video. He’s a paid hack by GM covering up this huge defect in this engine.
If only GM paid us to cover things up. None the less you are on to the cabal of fake mechanics working for the "hide the carbon problems" mafia. It's the direct injector companies paying us all. You're too smart for us, you caught it.
Direct injection = junk